Bowden’s usually immaculate lawns were rain soaked and heavy to play, following a day of intense rain, when Southport Short Croquet Team visited the South Manchester club for a league match at the weekend.

Carol Lewis captained an all ladies team of Eileen Gallagher, Pauline Rooney and Eileen Rossiter, who was appearing in her first match of the season.

The heavy ground slowed down play, but Carol Lewis maintained a strong pressure on her opponents, in spite of swingeing bisque penalties because of her lower handicap and taking them by surprise with the accuracy of her long distance shots.

But in spite of this Carol finished with only two good wins against strong competition.

Pauline Rooney managed to pull two more wins out of the hat and Eileen Rossiter achieved one.

But Eileen Gallagher proved what a great team member she can be by winning three games to bring the final scores level.